Life

Little is known of the early life of Metr. Ephraim. He was the successor to Metr. Hermogenes, who was elected patriarch of Russia in 1606, in the midst of the Time of Troubles when the succession to the throne of Russia was in dispute. Metr. Ephraim was appointed to the Kazan cathedra in August 1606. He proved to be a worthy successor for Patr. Hermogenes as his strong faith and love of his native country, matched by his great talent for organization was demonstrated in this troubled period in Russian history. He devoted his energies in maintaining peace in the Kazan diocese. When calls were received from Moscow for military assistance, Metr. Ephraim encouraged the recruitment of the forces and blessed the volunteers who were sent to Moscow to battle against the Poles.

His loyal support and encouragement of the Russian cause was recognized by the defending Moscow nobility. He became the focal point for Moscow's calls for help, coordinating calls to the cities of the Volga region for their military assistance. The metrpolitan's imprisoned predecessor, Patr. Hermogen, urged Ephraim that he work to build the faith of the defenders of Russia. Prince Dmitry Pozharsky and Kuzma Minin, the leaders of the relieving army that they assembled in Nizhny Novgorod sought counsel with Metr. Ephraim before they made their advance on Moscow and cleared the invading enemy from the city on October 22, 1612.

After the Polish forces had been expelled from Moscow, Metr. Ephraim was called to preside at the Zemsky Council in Moscow on February 21, 1613 that elected Michael Fedorovich Romanov the Tsar of Russia. On July 11, 1613, Metr. Ephraim crowned Michael Fedorovich. Then after instructing the young tsar of his duties to protect the Orthodox Church, Russian state, to esteem the clergy, and to love nation, Metr. Ephraim anointed Michael Fedorovich completing the enthronement of the new tsar, and thus executed his sacred duty.

After having received the Gospel from Tsar Michael Fedorovich, Metr. Ephraim returned to Kazan to serve a short period before his repose on December 26, 1613. He was buried in a cave of the Savior-Transfiguration Monastery, along with the relics of the Kazan wonderworkers Gury and Varsonofy.